Rugard walked back to the cart with the little kitten in his arms.
"What was it?" Barun asked when the middle aged man approached.
Rugard showed the little kitten to Barun like the baboon held the baby lion on top of the weird rock formation.
Barun blinked once after seeing the little kitten calmly looking back. "Oh hi, kitten," Barun finally said after pausing a few seconds.
"He surprised me, but he's the one who fell back," Rugard said, putting the kitten inside the cart, just in the front part where there's a small spot enough for the kitten to sit and relax.
"Usha surprised you?" Barun mocked.
Rugard held the cart's hands before frowning at the old man. "He suddenly jumped in front of me."
"Silly human got scared," Usha commented.
Rugard looked at the little furball while frowning. Although he could only hear the small cat meowing, he could feel the cat mocking him. "Hey, you're the one who fell back right away. Don
There were many people and creatures in the kingdom. They also came in different appearances and sizes. Well, he was used to seeing only humans. And maybe some fire slimes. But what he just saw was very different from the usual creatures he had seen."What is that?!" Usha perked up. He jumped down the crate and immediately ran.Barun noticed the kitten running away. "Usha? Guard, please stop for a while. My kitten has run off."The guard did stop and he looked at Barun. His eyes looked like about to roll in slight annoyance, but he fought it. "Where to?"Barun pointed at a direction and the guard turned to look. He raised his eyebrows as he saw the scene unfolded.There was a giant blue rabbit carriage at the side of the street, beside a clothing store. The driver was chatting with the seller of a juice stand nearby, and his rabbit was left to eat lunch. Usha approached the giant rabbit that was eating in its through. He stopped beside the through a
"He had just been here?" Darrion asked the guard with a surprise look on his face.The guard nodded. "Yes. Like I said, he was just here, asking me if he could go outside for some air. I told him about the storm and he seemed disappointed. I can see he's sweating so much though."Darrion sighed inwardly and looked down, trying to hold his own disappointment."Do you know where did he go after this?" Darrion asked.The guard shook his head. "I'm not really sure, though I told him that–"But Darrion cut him with a simple "Thanks" before he turned around and left.The guard watched his retreating back and muttered to himself. "You didn't let me finish... Oh well. They'll meet soon. No one is allowed in or out anyway," the guard shrugged, still not getting the connection was about although they had interrogation before.Darrion walked in a normal pace when he passed by the restaurant. He didn't want to make them panic. He would keep his panic st
Jai and Darrion sprinted to the air docks. As much as Jai doesn't like this, he had to hold on. This problem had took some parts of his mind that he couldn't focus as much as he wanted to be.He didn't know why Torfo's assistant stole whatever that relic is from the mausoleum and why. But he was most concern about the Matron and the kids. With the culprit still not found, their safety is a bit at risk. And Jai hated the possibility of anyone using kids as bargain, or anything related that's not supposed to be acted upon.They skidded past the tomb chambers and arrived before the white barrier on the giant door. It was very quiet and no one else was there in the tomb chambers."Why is there no one else here?" Jai asked in confusion.Both he and Darrion looked outside of the barrier. It was dark outside, and there were no lamps lit. But despite that, there was still a faint moonlight that could outline the ship quite a bit. The sails were kept folded
Jai and Darrion flew past the main hallway of the Iron Wing and entered the garden.“Do you where the roof is?” Darrion asked as they stopped at the garden.Jai pointed to a direction right of the Falcon Wing entrance and they literally flew over the river so high.With how high they were flying, it’s impossible not to notice. Both of the guards by the Falcon Wing entrance yelled at them from below, but they were a bit inaudible due to Jai being too focused. Darrion was the one who heard that instead, and he howled a “Sorry!” that echoed all the way to them.They landed in front of the door and immediately entered through. Jai hurriedly climbed up the stairs while Darrion followed suit.“How do you know this is the way?” Darrion asked.“I’ll tell you later,” Jai said as he hurried his pace.When they reached the top of the stairs, they could feel the wind blowing quite hard. Jai immediately turned and just stood there with his mouth agape.
Jai and Darrion landed on the ground, right beside Yaju. The electricity roaming around the poor guy's body lit up their surroundings a bit and both guys could see his body twitching. It soon faded away as the electricity also receded."Do you think he's dead?" Darrion asked in curiosity.Jai slapped his hand lightly. "Shh. Don't say things like that," Jai said while kneeling beside Yaju."Sorry. I mean, you did shot him that he fell to the ground," Darrion said while rubbing his hand in reflex."But he's lucky he fell to 'this' ground, and not 'that' ground," Jai gestured to the edge of the cliff. "It's grassy here," Jai added while reaching for the guy's neck to check his pulse.Darrion walked to the edge of the high ground. When the thunder flashed again, he noticed that the place could indeed be called a cliff with how high the place is and how rocky the area below them is. He fl
Darrion sighed satisfyingly as he rested his head on the table. "I've never lose my manner until now. Please forgive me Teacher Rissiya."Teacher Rissiya covered her lips and giggled. "You don't need to hold back just because a beautiful lady is in front of you."Darrion smiled but he did not look at anyone. "Yes. To anything you just said."His response made the others laugh."Do you want a second serving, Jai?" Teacher Rissiya asked. Darrion seemed like he's already full, so she's asking Jai instead who was still munching on his baked fish.Jai raised his eyebrows in surprise and amusement. He grinned. "Another serving? I'm already at my fourth, Ma'am.""You can ask for one more serving, Jai," Carrola said. But Jai chuckled and shook his head."No, thank you. I'm good," Jai said before finishing his fish and taking a sip of his mint tea."Good evening! Can we get a cup of water for this cute lady over here?" A voice echoed
Torfo clenched and unclenched his fist. His teeth gritting against each other behind his closed lips. His eyes constantly darted to the unconscious young man on the makeshift bed on the floor and his white knuckles. He was angry.'Why did father want you to come with me? Why do I have to bring you here? You humiliated me in front of these highly esteemed people,' The white haired young man thought as he looked towards the unconscious man in anger.His mind was racing as he thought of the reason why his assistant did something like this.He hit the desk lightly a few times, trying his very best to hold back his anger.The door opened and the teachers and the Minister walked in. Torfo took a deep breath and tried to be calm. He then looked up and met the gaze of the Minister.The teachers sat down in the benches around while the Minister took a seat across from him in the front of the room."Torfo," the Minister greeted. His signature smile
The third day passed with a very hectic event. Everyone in the mausoleum worked hard. Monks, nuns, teachers, also the winners of the tournament. They tried their best in managing the peaceful environment and the security in the mausoleum. The storm was hard on everyone, and everyone was spent. But two certain winners of the tournament was the most spent of them all.The helped in catching the thief even though they weren’t asked to. They weren’t even involved in the first place. But their inner heart could not stand knowing that there is a possibility of children being the burnt end of the match. So they involved themselves. They took it upon themselves to protect the children and their mother even though they weren’t asked to. They were caught in the end, but instead of getting an earful, they were asked to help in continuing what they were doing.It was seriously just a coincidence that they caught the real culprit. Of course, suspicion was thrown, but it was also with
Jai felt something wrapped around his stomach from behind. He immediately looked down to his waist, spotting two smaller sized hands coiling on his waist.‘A kid, obviously. But who is it?’ Jai wondered. This was a baby shower event, so he wasn’t feeling weird if children attend too. The question is, who is this kid?He tried to turn around to look at the hugger, but the kid was hugging him tight. It wouldn’t be hard to push it, but he was reluctant because it’s a kid. He knew there’s nothing he could do but ask.“Oh? Hello? Is there anything you need?” Jai asked with a friendly tone.He could hear giggles, but the kid didn’t answer his question.“Oh are we playing guess?” Jai asked.More giggles.“It’s a boy.” Someone whispered from his left side. A familiar voice yet he could not name.“Hey!” The boy protested.But from that tone alone, Jai could already figure out who it is. So he said. “Hello, Ruta-kun.”The kid let him go and Jai could finally turn around. True, it was Ruta. The
On the day when the baby shower was held, Jai arrived at the place with Baji.The venue is in a mansion in the North Town. Jai hadn’t been in that certain neighbourhood, but he finally understood that the North Town is the place for the riches, and the neighbourhood they were in is probably among the richest. The mansion building is tall, and the garden is so wide. There’s a medium sized pond with two gazebos on the side, and then there’s also a small orchard on the right side of the mansion.Baji leaned in to whisper something. “The party is in the back garden. And keep your mouth shut, please. You’re a famous guy and I don’t want you looking stupid.” Then he leaned back.Jai immediately closed his unconsciously parted lips and recited the plan. He couldn’t, of course, confront an important figure of a clan in a crowded venue. So Baji and Gilbert had made a plan to help him talk alone with Fuuji Fu in the venue. He just have to make sure he could deal with the ‘fans’, though he hoped
It isn’t a doubt that Cynthia was reluctant to share that information with Harris because Jai was there. So Jai proposed to the brunette to re-visit the place later in the day to ask about it.Baji was there when they returned, and Jai immediately told him about the findings he got also to consult about the Fiery Lotus.Baji crossed his arms on his chest and nodded in acknowledgement. “It’s fortunate that a promising lead is finally here. We’re sorry for the late initiative from our part. We should’ve worked harder.”He didn’t think that he would receive an apology from Baji. But it showed that the man is a responsible person. Jai shook his head. “It’s alright. From the start, it was already a scavenger hunt. But do you know anything about either of those?”Baji fixed his seating before he explained. “Well about the Chief of Fuuji, he’s a strict person on males. He’s nice to females, and he’s really into babies. There’s only one male person he had shown his friendly side to in public,
“So uhh, this person whom you mentioned before with Tsubasa is a very important person. And you want to ask him about Alex?” Darrion asked when they were in the carriage, heading back.Jai narrowed his eyes. “Why aren’t you being straightforward?”“I’m a bit tired from today. There are so many deliveries like yesterday. But ahh… I’m more tired in trying to understand what they say.” Darrion said with nervous smile.Jai forgot that his friend is not adept in Shouha language, it must be hard to work without understanding what anyone is saying.“Sorry.” Jai apologized.Darrion nodded. “It’s fine. Let’s just stick to no name for now, if possible. I… Can’t really erect a barrier right now.”“Sure.” Jai nodded. “The… Family, you know, told me about him. Saying that he is the first person we can ask about Alex. But he has a very high standing, as you’ve listened to me and the father talked about him, so it won’t be easy to talk to him.”“I see. So that’s why you go to them. They can be consi
"Sorry if it's too much of me to ask." Jai said."Oh no, no. It's fine. But my mother is not at home though, is that alright?" Yuta asked as he turned to Jai and Darrion behind him."It's alright. It's very sudden after all." Jai said."Alright then. Would tea be alright?" Yuta asked."Yes. It's fine. Thank you." Jai answered.Fu Fuuji is the head chief of one of the notorious Ten Guardian Clans, the Fuuji clan. After leaving the Komatsu’s residence, he was thinking about how to get in touch with this person. And the Akamine clan is the first thing that came into Jai’s mind.While they don’t really owe him a favor, this family is the closest connection that he has to the Fuuji clan, because they’re also one of the Ten Guardian Clans.Also, he knew that it’s not guaranteed that he would get an audience with Fu Fuuji through the Akamine. There’s a possibility that they are enemies with each other. But he would at least try to ask. So here they were, in the Akamine clan’s residence.Yuta
Returning to the present.“Little Sparks. Fiery Lotus. What the hell are those?” Jai asked as they left the compound.“Quiet down. You’re gonna get us killed for that.” Claude remindedJai turned around and talked in slight whisper. “If it’s associated with the Queen, that means it’s very private. In the North Town, in a community place like thing. It doesn’t ring any bells from the previous search. Do you know anything about it?”He saw an empty horse mount coming in their direction and waved it.The mount stopped in front of them and they immediately climbed in the carriage. “Southeast Windlet Post Office.” He told the horse mount driver.Weaving the air barrier thicker, Claude replied. “I don’t. I’m a hunter, not a mercenary. How do you suppose I know these things?”Jai smiled shortly with a shrug. “Maybe? Ah… But this is a major progress in the case. At least we know he’s not dead, and it will take more effort to rescue him now.” Jai smiled.Claude stared at Jai suspiciously. “Why
They were led to a corridor which have several doors across from each other. Alex immediately knew they are resting rooms, because he could see a bed from one of the opened doors.One of the committees, the previous guy who shot the Cloud Viewing Rune in the ceremony, pulled his hood down, showing his blonde hair. Then he turned around while the other committees went past him, leaving him to deal with the new freshmen batch.“Good morning. My name is Liam. I am one of the guild members and I am one of the supervisors of the freshmen. Well, not really supervisor, but I’m the one they put in charge to look after you when the super seniors are out. Like right now. Oh and umm, I’m not alone. I have my friends with me to look after you. So please don’t do anything rash, because we outpower you by a lot. And we prefer not to hit you, because you’re a potential junior. Please be nice to each other, okay?”Alex didn’t really pay attention. He stopped listening when he uttered the fourth sente
That morning on the day when Jai went to the Komatsu’s house, Alex had already settled in ‘the place’.He wasn’t familiar with the kingdom, as such, he didn’t know where he was taken to.And since he was late, he was grouped with those who were also late. Many eyes stared at him when he entered the room—it was an average room with beds—reserved only for those who arrived late.Apparently, those who arrived first had attended the ceremony and the first phase—and those who were late had to attend on their own. But they would be gathered together after that, and he would be able to meet his roommate. That was what Master Fu said yesterday when he dropped him off. But the old man wasn’t lying.He went through a sleepless night—because there were many others here that he didn’t know and he wasn’t keen on getting surprise attacked in the middle of his sleep. But the night went by uneventfully, fortunately.He and the others were given a tray of scone and tea to start the day. He didn’t eat
“Don’t. Test. Me.”Jai’s eyes glowed brighter for a second as he emphasized the last words.The civilians, of course flinched at his threat. All of them knew him as a humble and righteous young man. Always smiling and looked very kind. They never knew this side of him. That’s why they were very surprised. The Kizuato group wasn’t included though, they were there exactly to prevent Jai doing what he planned to do.Akane, who had have enough of her parents’ plan, stood up.“Akane-chan!” Rio tried to stop her, but she went anyway and spoke.But instead of retaliating at the guest in their house like the rest of her family, she was looking at her mother instead. “Just tell him, mother!”Rio frowned deep at her. “What are you saying, Akane?”Akane gritted her teeth. “Just tell him!! If you tell him, no one will be hurt!”Rio shut her mouth and swallowed, but she didn’t say anything.Akane looked at her mother with bewildered expression. “If you don’t, then I will.” She turned to Jai. But